Every kid needs a champion | Rita Pierson | TED

Rita Pierson, a teacher for 40 years, once heard a colleague say, "They don't pay me to like the kids." Her response: "Kids don't learn from people they don't like.'" A rousing call to educators to believe in their students and actually connect with them on a real, human, personal level.

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[stevenmarchetti]

I loved it when she said, "Kids don't learn from people they don't like!"  So simple yet often forgotten!!

[jakes]

I’m currently in college studying to become an educator and watch this video often to recharge me and not lose sight of what I’m trying to achieve. Rest In Peace Ms. Rita.

UPDATE: 3 years later and I am now a teacher/coach at my dream school. I originally was set on teaching elementary, but here I am teaching 8th graders and coaching 7th and 8th grade boys. Be flexible and don’t be afraid to try new things. No matter where you are in your educator journey, don’t forget that kids are/should always be at the center of it! It’s all about relationships.

[emmatyndall]

"Legacy. What is a legacy? It's planting seeds in a garden you never get to see." Ms. Rita Pierson has certain done this.

[saurabhsomani]

She passed away one month after this TED talk. R.I.P Ms. Pierson 😢

[oddly]

I have never cried before because of a ted talks but when she told the story about telling her kids to say "i am somebody" it made me so happy that I just cried for a minute. This is what education should be, and what it can be 
thank you so much Rita Pierson, for giving kids the education many will never have and the support so many of us needed.

[krazyj]

My professor showed us this video in our Intro to Ed class and half of the class (including myself) were crying while watching this. lol. Now I'm watching it again because it's that amazing.

[kungfu]

I’ll be reaching 10 years as an art teacher and it’s all because of Rita’s advice. I tattooed her quote “Every child deserves a champion” on my arm for all my students to see so they know right away what I stand for. I feel I’m at the peek of my career and everyday with my students is not work, but precious moments together as a community…a family. Thank you Rita for your guidance ❤

[sunflowersneed]

I watch this often. It is such a charger for me. She touches my inner child and my current self all at once. Thank you for posting!

[briankerstetter]

I was so sad to hear of Rita's passing. The education world lost an incredible mind. She will be missed greatly. 

[fkoff]

She said "-18 sucks the life outta ya, but +2 said It ain't all bad" 💪👏👏👌✍🙂😎 more teachers like u make THE difference.. 👏👏💯

[EvaAnika]

I hate when people say "more teachers should be like this." I worked with preservice teachers for years, and NO ONE joins the profession without this optimism and passion. No one. So the question should actually be "what happened?" instead of "why aren't more teachers like this?" When we figure out why some teachers can hold on to this mindset for 40 years and some can't, the focus shouldn't be on why they failed at their former happy idealism, but why the SYSTEM chews them up and spits them out so easily. Sapping the passion out of so many, and replacing them with fresh meat every year is a disservice to students, education, and our nation.

[mrtricks]

"I am somebody! I was somebody when I came and I'll be a better somebody when I leave. I am powerful and I am strong! I deserve the education that I get here! I have things to do, people to impress and places to go!"

This speaks volumes!!! Just imagine the impact this could have on our lives if we, as adults, truly believed these words!

[waichiuchow]

As a teacher for more than 30 years, I totally agree with Rita. We teachers should love the kids. If we do not love them, how can we teach them with our most effort?

[jessicab]

"Every child deserves a champion" - crying right now. How amazing. I'm determined to be that person for the kids in my life.

[homeabroad]

It's so weird but I watch this same video every year. This video changed my whole perspective on teaching. I had no idea she died the same year this was posted. I had always wished to meet her but tonight I found out she has passed away. Real tears running down my face right now. She made me a better teacher and never met me. Her legacy lives on through all of us.

[mfarran]

Her energy and passion is so contagious. Rest in power sister Rita.

[Rokelta]

Makes me tear up - "We come to work anyway, because that's what we do." - "We're born to make a difference." - True! I've been teaching for 30 years.

[baolinhdang]

She's so inspiring that it brought tears to me. Wow.

[DaynaJaeger]

I am a future educator, and we watched this in class. This is inspirational. I will remember this video and rewatch this video for as long as I live. Thank you, Rita Pierson, for sharing your wisdom!

[WinnieQin]

it brought me to tears watching this video! I grew up in China, where i think the deeply flawed system stole lots of my golden years, and I am working for international non-profit in China on the education programs. I have been trying so hard to advocate for a system, program, component that's measured by psychological outcomes. it hasn't been that easy, and in fact, has been very very difficult and upsetting. But knowing all out there, are doing the same, not giving it up, makes me less cynical, and it gives me the courage to keep working